Catholic Churches of NCC includes: Saint Patrick Parish Seneca WI; Saint Philip Parish Rolling Ground WI; Saint Mary Parish Gays Mills WI; St James Cemetery Rising Sun WI; Kneeland Cemetery Seneca WI catholicchurchesofncc.com

St. Mary, St. Patrick, St. Philip Parishes

December 8, 2024

2^nd Sunday in Advent

PO Box 35, Seneca WI 54654

Website: https://www.catholicchurchesofncc.com/

Mass Intentions This Week

Confessions: Usually, 30 minutes before every Mass and by appointment.

Monthly Eucharistic Adoration:

* St. Patrick: First Friday after the 8:30 AM Mass

* St. Philip: First Sunday after the 10:30 AM Mass with confessions for 30 minutes.

Pastor: Fr. Tom Huff -- frtomhuff@gmail.com St. Patrick's Rectory 608-734-3252

Bookkeeper: Angie Martin -- 608-734-3931 stpatricks.seneca.bookkeeper@gmail.com

Bulletin/Mass Intentions/Membership: Yvonne Hady -- 608 485-2109 hady@centurytel.net

Bulletin Information Deadline: Tuesdays at 4:00 PM. Bulletin is posted on our website.

UPCOMING PARISH EVENTS

Mon., Dec. 9 Immaculate Conception Mass

at St. Patrick at 8:30 AM

at St. Mary at 6:00 PM

Wed., Dec. 11 Adult Faith Study at St. Mary, 7:00 PM

Sat., Dec. 14 Advent Adoration at St. Mary, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Advent Confessions for PDC Deanery with 3 priests being present:

Thursday, December 12th at PDC, St. John's Church 4pm - 6pm

Thursday, December 19th at Eastman, St. Wenceslaus Parish 4pm - 6pm

Advent Adoration on December 14^th: Christmas is a time for us to come together to celebrate the birth of our Savior; a season of giving, presents, and spreading God’s love to all. Give your presence as a Birthday and Holiday gift to Baby Jesus by joining in the Advent Eucharistic Adoration at St. Mary’s on Saturday, December 14^th from 9:00AM until 3:00PM. Father Tom will hear confessions at 2:30 PM with Benediction at 3:00 PM. Sign-up sheets are at the back of our churches. God Bless!

Income from Last Week

Condolences to the family of Bernard “Barney” Johnson

whose funeral was Monday. May Barney rest in peace. Amen.

From the Pastor’s Corner:

From a Pastoral Letter by Saint Charles Borromeo on the Season of Advent

Beloved, now is the acceptable time spoken of by the Spirit, the day of salvation, peace and reconciliation: the great season of Advent. This is the time eagerly awaited by the patriarchs and prophets, the time that holy Simeon rejoiced at last to see. This is the season that the Church has always celebrated with special solemnity. We too should always observe it with faith and love, offering praise and thanksgiving to the Father for the mercy and love He has shown us in this mystery.

In His infinite love for us, though we were sinners, He sent His only Son to free us from the tyranny of Satan, to show us truth itself, to train us in right conduct, to plant within us the seeds of virtue, to enrich us with the treasures of His grace, and to make us children of God, and to welcome us into heaven to become heirs of eternal life.

Each year, as the Church recalls this mystery and urges us to renew the memory of the great love God has shown us. This holy season teaches us that Christ’s coming was not only for the benefit of his contemporaries; His power still needs to be shared with each generation. We shall share His power if, through holy faith and the sacraments, we willingly accept the grace Christ earned for us, and live by that grace and in obedience to Christ.

The Church asks us to understand, that Christ who came once in the flesh, is prepared to come again when we remove all obstacles to His presence. It is then that He is able to dwell spiritually in our hearts, bringing with Him the riches of His grace.

Support a lifetime of service. Women and men religious have spent their lives serving others in prayer, ministry, education and care for those in need—usually for little or no pay. Today, their religious communities do not have enough retirement savings. As they age, they require essential care and medications. Please support them by giving to the Retirement Fund for Religious. Your donation makes a difference for nearly 21,000 senior men and women religious. Please give generously.

Share & Care gift program is in progress. If you did not get a card to purchase a gift and want to be involved you can donate Wal-Mart gift cards, Kwik trip gas cards, diapers, school supplies, mittens, gloves, hats, children's socks, or food for the food pantry. Please mark them as "Extra" and we will deliver them where they are needed. Contact Judy Geyer, Pat Dearth or Amy Murphy if you have questions. Thanks everyone for helping with this worthwhile project.

St. Philip Announcements:

St. Philip Candles: Contact Bonnie Murphy. The cost is $5 per candle.

• Blessed Sacrament -- For the Health of Beth Scheckel

• Blessed Virgin – For the Soul of Barney Johnson (Janet McCormick)

• St. Joseph – For the Soul of Bernard McCormick (Janet McCormick)

December 8^th Raffle Ticket Drawing: Join us in the church basement after Mass this weekend for refreshments to celebrate Fr. Tom Ordination Anniversary and for the raffle drawing. Please bring all raffle tickets, sold and unsold, and money.

St. Mary Announcements:

Rosary – 30 minutes before Mass -- St. Mary’s Church is open each day from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. You are welcome to stop in to pray and/or light a candle for your special intention.

First Sunday Potluck – Potluck brunch after Mass each first Sunday of the month. All are welcome, dish to share is not required. Next potluck is this Sun., Jan. 5.

St. Patrick Announcements:

St. Patrick’s Directory: Contact Pat Dearth to sign-up for your pictures. 608 279-2417

Divine Mercy: St. Faustina writes, “The days of my life are not monotonous.  When dark clouds cover the sun, like the eagle I will try to brave the billows and make known to others that the sun is not dying out.” (Notebook I, #285)

Marriage Moment: What puts passion into your marriage? For newlyweds this may come easily. For others perhaps it's been a while. Often rekindling romance is a matter of doing something new together. Be creative before the year ends. (Susan Vogt)

Parenting Pointers: Politics has put a lot of stress on the USA this year. Seek out someone you may have different political views with. Listen first. You don’t have to agree, but at least try to understand. Perhaps your child will notice your careful listening. (Susan Vogt)

Tri-Parish Prayer List – We want to pray for the ill and others in our parishes who need ongoing prayer. To be placed on or to place someone on our prayer list, please call: Sue Peterson 608-735-4865, Bonnie Murphy 608-386-4954, or Ica Boylen 608-734-3287.

Upcoming Christmas Mass Schedule

Tue., Dec. 24 Wed., Dec. 25

Christmas Eve Masses: Christmas Day Masses:

4:00 PM at St. Philip 8:00 AM at St. Patrick

6:00 PM at St. Mary 10:00 AM at St. Philip

8:00 PM at St. Patrick

Mark your calendars, the Tri-Parish Holiday Dinner will be on Sunday, January 19. Much the same as last year at the Boscobel Bowl and Banquet. Everyone from all three parishes is welcome. More info to come.

DIOCESE OF LA CROSSE GUIDELINES FOR REPORTING INSTANCES OF CHILD ABUSE

The Diocese of La Crosse, through its policies and procedures, seeks to provide a prompt, appropriate and compassionate response to reporters of sexual abuse of a child by any diocesan agent (bishop, priest, deacon, employee, religious, vendor or volunteer). Anyone wishing to make a report of an allegation of sexual abuse should send that report to Mrs. Teresa Brown, Complaint Intake Agent, at the Diocese of La Crosse, P.O. Box 4004, La Crosse, WI 54602-4004. Alternatively, you can contact Mrs. Brown at 608.791.0179 or intakeagent@diolc.org. The reporting form is available through the Diocese of La Crosse Office of Safe Environment or on the diocesan website at: diolc.org/safe-environment/reporting. Individuals are also encouraged to take their reports directly to civil authorities. Copies of the diocesan policy are available through your local Parish and on the diocesan website. If you have any questions about the Diocese of La Crosse and the implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, please contact Teresa Brown, Diocese of La Crosse, at 608.791.2679 or tbrown@diolc.org.